How far is Joliet, IL from Pana, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Pana, IL is about 180.6 miles (290.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156.6 miles (252.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 35m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Pana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Pana.
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1
Start on the route
34 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn right onto Ottawa Street
1397 ft · 44 sec · Ottawa Street
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3
Continue on Ottawa Street
758 ft · 22 sec · Ottawa Street
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4
Continue on Chicago Street
2079 ft · 1 min · Chicago Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
1707 ft · 42 sec
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6
Merge slight left
6.4 mi · 8 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
1900 ft · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight left
93 mi · 1 hr 40 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
2.1 mi · 2 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
1616 ft · 40 sec
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11
Continue on North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road
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12
Continue on North Walnut Street
23.2 mi · 30 min · North Walnut Street
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13
Turn straight
9.9 mi · 15 min
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14
Take the ramp straight toward South Business Route 51
19.6 mi · 24 min · South Business Route 51
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15
Continue on North 2600 East Rd
7.9 mi · 9 min · North 2600 East Rd
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16
Turn right onto North 2600 East Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North 2600 East Road
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17
Continue on Jackson Street
2668 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street
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18
Turn left onto Cedar Street
142 m · 8 sec · Cedar Street
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19
Turn right onto East 1st Street
2150 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street
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20
Turn left onto South Poplar Street
141 m · 13 sec · South Poplar Street
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21
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
26 m · 4 sec · East 2nd Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Pana.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 55 South
Merge slight left
93 mi · 01h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Joliet and Sunny near Pana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Pana?
The road trip is about 180.6 miles (290.7 km) and usually takes 03h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Towanda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.3 miles from Joliet and 90.3 miles from Pana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156.6 miles (252.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.02 one way or $48.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Sunny near Pana.
Stop Ideas Near Towanda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Towanda.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Pana. Straight-line distance: 156.62 mi (252.06 km).
#1 Joliet
The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.
| Population | 85,583 |
| Coordinates | 41.5251900, -88.0834000 |
| Altitude | 165 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Pana
Town in Christian County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 5,327 |
| Coordinates | 39.3889300, -89.0800800 |
| Altitude | 213 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pana (-89.08008, 39.38893)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.02 | $48.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.09 | $54.18 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.65 | $59.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.79 | $67.57 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.